[Lokinor]

Mine arrived today, been having some fun with different combinations of kit. I own a Hyby R3 Saber 2022 and was always not quite happy with it. I wanted to dable in android based DAPs but they were way to expensive for my needs (I use it mostly as a transport for other devices). So along came the M300 and so far, I'm loving it.

So far I've played with a Cayin RU6, Questyle M15 and WooAudio Tube Mini, as well as straight from the 3.5mm on a variety of headphones and IEMs. I've had zero issues driving any of my gear. There's quite a power draw on the Tube Mini as expected but it works fine with an OTG charge adapter (using the DDHifi TC28CPro).

I'll be putting it through its paces over the next week or so but so far loving the responsiveness of the UI and it sounds absolutely fine so far.

 

[pevinkarker]

So... the ones that are right now being used as play / pause and next I suppose?

Only the Fn button is assignable, I will talk to the team about adding Prev as an option. It does seem like an obvious option to have, if it's not yet available.

Exactly, those buttons.
I appreciate if you do that.
Thank you!

 

[JimiMack]

... because I don't have the M300 yet I didn't realize that the Fn button is not a button but a switch. You can't use a switch to do previous track. It seems this player won't have a prev button. Sorry about that.

Could it not be added on a firmware update that a quick double press on the Play/Pause activate a Previous option?

 

[JimiMack]

I have returned two units to Amazon because I had noticed on each that when using Spotify or Tidal, the volume rockers would not function if the apps were open and running visually. Yet if they were minimized the volume rocker would work correctly. Has anyone else come across this issue?

 

[Lokinor]

I have returned two units to Amazon because I had noticed on each that when using Spotify or Tidal, the volume rockers would not function if the apps were open and running visually. Yet if they were minimized the volume rocker would work correctly. Has anyone else come across this issue?

I don't have Tidal but I can confirm that in Spotify when first starting it up, non of the buttons work. If I minimise it, they work and if I go back to the app it works. This only happens in Spotify, Qobuz, UAPP, Roon, Roon Arc, Hiby Music, Bandcamp, YT Music all work normally.

 

[bachankas]

Is the direct headphone output of M300 significantly worse in terms of quality? I do not ask about raw driving power.
Does it hiss with sensitive IEM? Or is it "good enough" portable player?

I think that this M300 is the only real hope to replace V30 for me as a portable player with modern ergonomics. V30 does not have the BT receiver feature, but most of deditaced DAPs are really slow.

 

[Lokinor]

Is the direct headphone output of M300 significantly worse in terms of quality? I do not ask about raw driving power.
Does it hiss with sensitive IEM? Or is it "good enough" portable player?

I think that this M300 is the only real hope to replace V30 for me as a portable player with modern ergonomics. V30 does not have the BT receiver feature, but most of deditaced DAPs are really slow.

Personally I've not experienced any noise floor from the 3.5mm output and its driven all my IEMs without any problems at all. Its also driven most of my headphones as acceptable levels. The M300 now live on my office desk as my everyday music device.

 

[Rackhour]

edit - delete. Got a response via email.

 

[pevinkarker]

Some notes for a possible update:
- there is no previous option;
- if you use the fn button for the lock buttons and actived this the earphone buttons don't work;
- the earphone buttons don't always work with the screen off with tidal and google podcasts apps at least;
- the hibymusic app started to play on the backround when played other apps even if i didn't open the hibymusic app after the turn on;
- if you choose to turn off the side light and them turn off and on the device, the side light will be on even if in the device definitions is off.

Also we need a protetive case please

 

[Rackhour]

Currently syncing my music library from MediaMonkey Windows to MediaMonkey Android on my new M300. Should I expect any compromises with my overall playback experience?

Edit: the sync failed. I'm having better success syncing to the micro SD card that will go into the player later.

 

[Joe Bloggs]

Currently syncing my music library from MediaMonkey Windows to MediaMonkey Android on my new M300. Should I expect any compromises with my overall playback experience?

No, not if you mean the sampling, that's the same with any app.

 

[RayEarth]

If it does have SRC bypass on streaming apps like Apple Music, and has more RAM than the Sony, then these are two massive upgrades in my book.

I'm not sure if M300 has more RAM? The comparison based on what I can gather is as follows:

	A306	M300
Dimension	98.4 x 56.5 x 11.8 mm	113 x 58 x 13 mm
Weight	113g	136g
Screen size	3.6"	4"
Resolution	1280 x 720	1280 x 640
Screen tech	TFT	IPS
CPU	QCS2290 (Cortex A53, 4 core x 1.8Ghz)	Qualcomm 665 (Kryo 260, 4 core Cortex A73 x 2Ghz, 4 core Cortex A53 x 1.8Ghz)
GPU	Adreno 702 (up to 845Mhz)	Adreno 610 (up to 950Mhz)
RAM	4GB	3GB
Storage	32GB	32GB
Geekbench CPU	185 / 470	305 / 1240
Bluetooth profile	SBC, LDAC, aptX, aptX HD, AAC	LDAC, AAC and SBC and will receive aptX support via a future firmware update
Battery	1,500 mAh	2,000 mAh
Speaker	No	Yes

Now, A306 is about AUD100 cheaper than M300 in Australia (ie about 25% cheaper), which is a consideration.

I do intend to use the DAP for bluetooth headphones as well, so lack of any AptX support is slightly concerning.

 

[Rackhour]

Somewhat off-topic, but I'm currently unable to properly enjoy the M300. Not because there's something wrong with the hardware, but because in the process of bringing my offline library over from iTunes to MediaMonkey, my tags got all screwed over. And there is something wrong with syncing between MM Windows and MM Android.

So yeah...it's back to making sure the tags are properly implemented this time.

 

[hokagoteatimereviews]

Mine arrived today, been having some fun with different combinations of kit. I own a Hyby R3 Saber 2022 and was always not quite happy with it. I wanted to dable in android based DAPs but they were way to expensive for my needs (I use it mostly as a transport for other devices). So along came the M300 and so far, I'm loving it.

So far I've played with a Cayin RU6, Questyle M15 and WooAudio Tube Mini, as well as straight from the 3.5mm on a variety of headphones and IEMs. I've had zero issues driving any of my gear. There's quite a power draw on the Tube Mini as expected but it works fine with an OTG charge adapter (using the DDHifi TC28CPro).

I'll be putting it through its paces over the next week or so but so far loving the responsiveness of the UI and it sounds absolutely fine so far.

Such an awesome setup!

 

[hokagoteatimereviews]

My Review on the Hiby M300 :-

I really love the device and personally has found a place with me when i go out daily.